EP0595849B1 - Utilisation d'un transducteur piezoelectrique dans la fabrication d'un appareil therapeutique ultrasonique - Google Patents

Utilisation d'un transducteur piezoelectrique dans la fabrication d'un appareil therapeutique ultrasonique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0595849B1
EP0595849B1 EP92914481A EP92914481A EP0595849B1 EP 0595849 B1 EP0595849 B1 EP 0595849B1 EP 92914481 A EP92914481 A EP 92914481A EP 92914481 A EP92914481 A EP 92914481A EP 0595849 B1 EP0595849 B1 EP 0595849B1
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Prior art keywords
transducer
transducers
composite piezoelectric
therapy
piezoelectric transducer
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0595849A1 (fr
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Jean-Yves Chapelon
Dominique Cathignol
Emmanuel Blanc
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Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM
Technomed Medical Systems SA
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Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM
Technomed Medical Systems SA
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • A61N7/02—Localised ultrasound hyperthermia
    • A61N7/022—Localised ultrasound hyperthermia intracavitary
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B17/22004—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves
    • A61B17/22012—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B17/22004—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves
    • A61B17/22012—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement
    • A61B17/2202—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement the ultrasound transducer being inside patient's body at the distal end of the catheter
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • A61N7/02—Localised ultrasound hyperthermia
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/00234—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for minimally invasive surgery
    • A61B2017/00238—Type of minimally invasive operation
    • A61B2017/00274—Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B17/22004—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves
    • A61B17/22012—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement
    • A61B17/2202—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement the ultrasound transducer being inside patient's body at the distal end of the catheter
    • A61B2017/22021—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement the ultrasound transducer being inside patient's body at the distal end of the catheter electric leads passing through the catheter
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B17/22004—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves
    • A61B17/22012—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement
    • A61B2017/22025—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement applying a shock wave
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B17/22004—Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves
    • A61B2017/22027—Features of transducers
    • A61B2017/22028—Features of transducers arrays, e.g. phased arrays
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B2018/00315—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body for treatment of particular body parts
    • A61B2018/00547—Prostate
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • A61N2007/0078—Ultrasound therapy with multiple treatment transducers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • A61N2007/0086—Beam steering
    • A61N2007/0095—Beam steering by modifying an excitation signal

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the use of at least one composite piezoelectric transducer for the manufacture of a therapy apparatus for applying destructive treatment in a body zone, in particular to tissues of a living being; it also relates to an acoustic or ultrasonic therapy apparatus for applying destructive treatment in a body zone, in particular to tissues, of a living being, the apparatus comprising at least one piezoelectric transducer, and electrical feed means including pulse generators for causing said transducer to provide a sufficient dosis of acoustic energy to perform said destructive treatment in said body zone.
  • Composite piezoelectric ceramics are constituted by conventional PZT (zirconate/titanate) type piezoelectric elements included in a polymer matrix.
  • PZT zirconate/titanate
  • This manufacturing technology also makes it possible to manufacture complex geometrical shapes, e.g. merely by thermoforming plane elements.
  • the use of a composite makes it possible to achieve transverse coupling that is very low such that the displacement of the sound-emitting surfaces is mainly unidirectional. This contributes to improving the electromechanical coupling and when the transducers are bar-shaped, it limits interactions between them, and this feature is particularly looked-for in echographic probes. It is also possible with composite materials to implement bar type transducers merely by integrating electrodes of the desired shape without cutting up piezoelectric elements.
  • composite materials are well-adapted to implementing medical echographic probes and to non-destructive monitoring where requirements are essentially centered on improving electromechanical coupling and spatial resolution for very low emission powers.
  • GB-A-2 126 901 discloses a mosaic transducer formed of a plurality of transducer elements brased on a plate, and used for ultrasound hyperthermia.
  • US-A-4 858 597 disclosed a mosaic transducer formed of large transducer elements embedded in a soft silicone rubber, used for lithotripsy.
  • composite piezoelectric elements are strong enough to enable them to emit sufficient energy to achieve therapeutic treatment, be that lithotrity (i.e. by means of a shock wave focused on a focus or target point), or for destroying or treating cells or tissue of a living being by the thermal effect that is obtained from focused ultrasound.
  • the energy or power levels required for medical therapy are much greater than those needed for medical imaging.
  • the (pulse) energy levels are more than 10,000 times greater than those needed by medical imaging. In terms of power per pulse, these same levels are from 10 times to 1,000 times greater.
  • the energy level that needs to be transmitted for medical imaging is typically less than 1 ten thousandth of a J per pulse.
  • the energy that needs to be transmitted by the piezoelectric elements is significantly greater than 0.01 J per pulse.
  • the energy level required generally lies in the range 0.01 J per pulse to 1 J per pulse.
  • the energy required is generally in the order of several tens of Joules.
  • the present invention provides the use of at least one composite piezoelectric transducer in the manufacture of an ultrasonic therapy apparatus for applying destructive treatment, in a body zone, according to claim 1.
  • the above-specified composite piezoelectric transducer is a single element of large size.
  • the emitting surface of the above-specified transducer is split up into a plurality of emitting surfaces capable of being excited separately.
  • a multiplicity of individual composite piezoelectric transducers are used which are assembled together to form a device comprising at least as many emitting surfaces as it has individual transducers.
  • a device may be called a "multi-transducer" device.
  • natural and/or electronic focusing means are provided for focusing the acoustic or ultrasonic waves emitted by the emitting surfaces of the above-mentioned transducers.
  • provision may be made for the above-mentioned composite piezoelectric transducers to emit ultra sound waves that are focused on a focal point or "target" point.
  • This focusing may be achieved electronically or naturally by providing the transducer(s) or a multi-transducer device that is physically in the form of a naturally-focusing spherical cup.
  • the transducers are fed electrically with predetermined phase shifts.
  • a mono- or multi-transducer composite piezoelectric device made in the form of a cup that fits substantially over the shape of the body of a patient and the apparatus is caused to emit an essentially spherical wave by phase synthesis introducing phase delays that enable an essentially spherical wave to be synthesized.
  • a composite piezoelectric transducer which turns out to be particularly advantageous for implementing an acoustic or ultrasonic therapy apparatuses for therapy in particular of, tissues of a living being, is obtained from sticks of piezoelectric ceramic based on an alloy of zirconate and titanate, in particular an alloy of lead, zirconate and titanate (PZT) included in a compatible polymer matrix selected from the group comprising: an epoxy resin, a silicone and a polyurethane, and preferably an epoxy resin or a polyurethane.
  • PZT lead, zirconate and titanate
  • one of the commonly used techniques is the so-called “dice and fill technique” which consists in starting from a PZT (lead zirconate titanate) type piezoelectric ceramic and in cutting fine grooves in the thickness thereof to form a regular grating of ceramic sticks.
  • the grating is then impregnated with the polymer component which is of the silicone type, the epoxy resin type, or the polyurethane type. Once the resin has polymerized, the material is adjusted to the desired thickness by cutting its base.
  • a grating of independent sticks included in a polymer matrix is then obtained.
  • the following step consists in depositing transducer feed electrodes on each face, e.g. by metal plating in a vacuum.
  • the transducer is shaped to give it an arbitrary shape, e.g. a spherical shape. It should be observed that this operation is sometimes performed before the metal plating stage.
  • the volume occupied by the piezoelectric material relative to the total volume may lie in the range 8% to 70%. According to the present invention, it is advantageous for the volume proportion of the piezoelectric material relative to the total volume to lie in the range 20% to 40%.
  • the invention also provides an acoustic or ultrasonic therapy apparatus for applying destructive treatment, in a body zone, according to claim 13.
  • the high level of ultrasonic or acoustic energy that the feed means are capable of sending to said transducer is not less than 0.01 J per pulse during a period of time that is sufficient for performing said therapy for treating tissues such as benign or malign tumors, or for treating bones, in particular at fractures or at zones to be treated such as zones of osteoporosis.
  • the invention may also be used for treating varicose veins.
  • the above-mentioned composite piezoelectric transducer may be disposed outside the body or else it may be mounted on or it may form an integral portion of an endo-cavity probe capable of being inserted into a cavity of the body of a living being.
  • the above-mentioned composite piezoelectric transducer is used to perform medical hyperthermia or thermotherapy or to thermally remove tissue such as tumor tissue by volatilization thereof.
  • a multi-transducer composite piezoelectric device for the combined purposes of therapy and of imaging.
  • a determined number of transducers enable echographic images to be formed (advantageously by associated electronic means permanently connected thereto) while the other transducers perform the therapeutic function.
  • the transducers performing the imaging function may be disposed along one or more emitting lines so as to form one or more image planes that are preferably orthogonal. This disposition is particularly advantageous, in particular because it provides one or more image planes that pass permanently through the focal point when the above-mentioned emitting lines are disposed in a plane of symmetry of the multi-transducer apparatus, thus making it possible to obtain continuous imaging in real time of the therapeutic process.
  • a determined number of the transducers or even all of them provide both an imaging function and a therapeutic function. These two functions may be obtained sequentially by appropriate sequencing control means that are well known to the person skilled in the art.
  • Composite piezoelectric transducers of the invention in particular multi-transducer apparatuses for combined therapy and imaging use, may be applied to ultrasonic hyperthermia treatment of benign or malign tumors of the liver, of the kidney, the prostate, the breast, and also to treatment of varicose veins.
  • the composite piezoelectric transducer(s) of the invention may advantageously be integrated in an endo-cavitary probe, in particular a transrectal probe.
  • the invention advantageously serves to treat cancer of the prostate.
  • Such an endo-cavitary probe preferably has the structure described in the Applicants' prior patent application FR-91 02 620 filed March 5, 1991, with number publication FR-A-2.673.542.
  • the composite multi-transducer device of Figure 1 is given overall reference numeral 100.
  • the device 100 is made using the method described above.
  • the electrodes are deposited using a mask that defines 25 electrodes that are adjacent and independent and of the shape shown in Figure 1, thereby forming 25 individual transducers that are capable of being fed separately.
  • the assembly was then shaped to form, in the example, a cup having an opening of 100 mm and a radius of curvature of 160 mm.
  • the piezoelectric material is of the PZT type and it constitutes about 25% of the total volume.
  • the 25 transducers respectively numbered 1 to 25 are subdivided into five subgroups numbered 1 to 5 (small digits) which are fed in groups and individually as described below with reference to Figure 2.
  • the feeds to the groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 are deposited on the sides and are referenced A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , and A 5 respectively.
  • the transducer 1 constitutes a group on its own, and for practical reasons it is combined with group No. 2 to be fed from feed A 2 .
  • FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the cup-shaped multi-transducer device 100 of Figure 1 together with its electronic feeds. It can be seen that each individual composite piezoelectric transducer of the device 100 is associated with a pulse transformer which is given the same reference numeral as the number of the individual transducer that it feeds.
  • pulse transformers which are grouped together to form four groups fed by four pulse generators.
  • the four main groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 are shown together with their associated pulse generators referenced GI2, GI3, GI4, and GI5.
  • These pulse generators are controlled by a central control unit 110, e.g. in the form of a computer and which contains, in the form of a file, all of the information necessary for individually controlling each of the 25 individual transducers. This is done by attributing control parameters to the transducers of the various electronic paths, and in particular phase delays ad firing management, e.g. with respect to the number of shots and to the firing rate.
  • This data is sent by the central control unit 110 to the pulse generator cards which are referred to as "pulse generators" via an interface card 112, as shown in Figure 2.
  • Each pulse generator card can control six to seven transducers independently. It is therefore necessary in this case to provide at least four cards, given that the central transducer 1 which constitutes a group on its own is controlled by the pulse generator referenced GI2.
  • the pulses which are sent by the pulse generators are received by the pulse transformers for amplification and are transmitted to the transducers individually, thereby providing a high degree of flexibility in operation and making it possible to adjust the overall power of the multi-transducer composite piezoelectric device 100 at will.
  • the central individual piezoelectric element referenced 1 in Figure 1 has been used to perform tests on the linearity of the sensitivity of the transducer element in terms of positive pressure P+ as a function of the applied voltage.
  • the impedance of the composite piezoelectric material is kept essentially constant at around 1 ohm regardless of the number of shots, which is likewise remarkable and unexpected for the person skilled in the art.
  • the invention thus makes it possible to achieve all of the above-announced determining technical advantages.
  • the composite piezoelectric transducer of the invention in particular when in the form of a multi-transducer device, can be used for making an acoustic or an ultrasonic therapy apparatus for therapy that may be destroying a concretion, destroying tissue such as a tumor, or treating bones.
  • a second embodiment of therapy apparatus of the present invention which has combined therapy and imaging functions, comprising a multi-transducer device of a type similar to that shown with reference to Figures 1 and 2, in the form of a cup, but in which a plurality of transducers associated with an imaging function are disposed, in this case in two perpendicular lines 202 and 204 occupying planes of symmetry of the cup 200, thereby obtaining image planes 203 and 205 that permanently contain the focal point F or center of the naturally-focusing spherically-shaped cup 200.
  • the other transducers of the cup 200 are distributed over four preferential sectors respectively referenced 206, 207, 208, and 209 and which perform a therapy function.
  • a central control unit 110 e.g. a computer, controlling (via an interface 112) therapy pulse generators (GIT) or an imaging pulse generator (GII) respectively connected to the sectors of therapy transducers 206, 207, 208, and 209, or to the imaging transducers disposed on the lines 202 and 204 which are disposed orthogonally in this case.
  • a switch device 220 is included having a position A and a position B. When the switch is in its position A, the therapy pulse generator also causes the transducers in the imaging lines 202 and 204 to generate therapy pulses, i.e. when the switch is in position A, all of the transducers in the cup perform therapy, i.e.
  • the therapy pulse generator controls the transducers in the therapy sectors 206, 207, 208, and 209 only, while the imaging pulse generator GII controls the transducers disposed in the emitting lines 202 and 204 for imaging purposes so as to construct an echographic image of the region around the focus F occupying two perpendicular planes each including the point F.
  • the composite piezoelectric transducers According to the aforesaid method for the manufacture of the composite piezoelectric transducers, according to the invention, it has also been manufactured a transducer under the shape of a single element spherical cup having a focal of 35 mm and a diameter of 5O mm, this diameter being optionally reduced in the transverse direction to 35 mm through a bilateral cutting for the purpose of reducing the transverse size, which is advantageous when it is wished to introduce this transducer in the form of a cup inside the body of a living being, into a corporeal orifice such as the rectum.
  • the opening of this transducer having such a ratio between the diameter and the focal can only be obtained with a piezocomposite technology.
  • FIG 6 it has been shown another embodiment of the therapy apparatus according to the invention for performing a therapy notably of concretions, tissues and bones of a living being, comprising similarly to figures 2 and 5, a piezocomposite transducer 3OO in the shape of a naturally focusing spherical cup focusing to the geometrical focal point F1.
  • the emitting surface of the transducer 3OO is sub-divided into several emitting surfaces, here reaching the number of 6, respectively referenced 3O1, 3O2, 3O3, 3O4, 3O5, 3O6, having a concentric annular shape, which can be separately excited through the aid of individual exciting electronic circuits respectively referenced 4O1, 4O2, 4O3, 4O4, 4O5, 4O6, inside an electronic box 4OO itself linked and controlled by a central control unit 11O. It can thus be understood that this sub-division allows to constitute an annular network of emitting surface.
  • Each elementary emitting surface such as 3O1, etc, is individually fed through its associated electronical circuit such as 4O1, etc, which enables to apply a delay on the feeding signals according to means well-known to those skilled in the art and already used for instance in the field of medical echography.
  • the set of the individual electronical circuits 4O1 to 4O6 constitutes focusing electronical means 4OO, which, according to a specific embodiment, can be used simultaneously to natural focusing means lying in the form of a spherical cup of the piezocomposite transducer 3OO.
  • the focusing means are controlled by the central control unit 11O for example a computer, which has been previously described.
  • piezocomposite materials allow for the first time to perform easily, very precisely, in a reproducible manner and at a less cost this type of transducer having an emitting surface under the shape of an annular network.
  • the invention therefore renders possible the manufacture of transducer having a variable opening from the opening angle alpha 1 to alpha 2, with a focal point having a variable position from F1 to F2.
  • transducers with variable opening have a giant interest for the treatment by focused ultrasounds at high power. They permit to better protect against the thermal effects, the interfacing tissues located within the acoustic field of the transducer. Indeed, the opening of the transducer, determined by the ratio between diameter and a focal, is all the more important as the treatment is performed at a short distance. This increase in the opening allows on one hand to lower the focal spot of the transducer, and on the other hand to distribute the ultrasonic field onto a more important surface and to therefore lower the acoustical intensity onto the interfacing tissues represented by the general reference number 5OO.
  • feed-back control means of a type known to one skilled in the art enabling to feed-back control the opening of the transducer, thereby enabling to keep and to remain at not more than a predetermined acoustical intensity onto the interfacing tissue, such as interfacing tissue 5OO.
  • the piezocomposite transducer having an emitting surface sub-divided into an annular network can be integral with an endocavitary probe, not shown on figure 6, in particular an endorectal probe such as described in prior applicant French patent FR-9O.O4442.
  • This composite piezoelectric transducer 3OO can also be extracorporally located as it can be clearly understood by one skilled in the art.
  • the invention thus covers all means constituting technical equivalants to the means described and various combinations thereof.
  • the composite piezoelectric transducer of the invention are used to perform medical hyperthermia or thermotherapy, or to damage tissue thermally, e.g. tumor tissue or varicose tissue, by causing a thermal effect selected from coagulation, necrosis, and volatilization thereof.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un transducteur piézoélectrique composite destiné à être utilisé dans la fabrication d'un appareil thérapeutique acoustique ou ultrasonique. Le transducteur peut être un transducteur unique de grande taille ou bien il peut être constitué de plusieurs transducteurs et il émet avantageusement des ondes ultrasoniques qui sont concentrées sur un point focal.

Claims (24)

  1. Utilisation d'au moins un transducteur piézo-électrique composite pour la fabrication d'un appareil de thérapie pour appliquer un traitement destructif à une zone corporelle, en particulier à des tissus d'un être vivant, ledit traitement destructif comprenant le traitement destructif par effet thermique, par hyperthermie, par thermothérapie, ou la mise en oeuvre d'un effet thermique choisi parmi la coagulation, la nécrose et la volatilisation, ledit appareil comportant des moyens d'alimentation électriques comprenant des générateurs d'impulsion, obligeant ledit transducteur à fournir une dose suffisante d'énergie acoustique pour réaliser ledit traitement destructif dans ladite zone corporelle.
  2. L'utilisation selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ladite zone corporelle comporte des tissus tumoraux, des tumeurs bénignes ou malignes du foie, du rein, de la prostate ainsi que sein, des tissus variqueux, des tissus prostatiques.
  3. L'utilisation selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle ladite dose d'énergie acoustique est d'au moins 0,01 J par impulsion, et préférablement de l'ordre de plusieurs dizaines de Joules par impulsion.
  4. L'utilisation selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle le transducteur piézo-électrique composite spécifié ci-dessus est un élément unique de grande taille.
  5. L'utilisation selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle la surface émettrice du transducteur spécifié ci-dessus est éclatée en une pluralité de surfaces émettrices susceptibles d'être excitées séparément.
  6. L'utilisation selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle on utilise une multiplicité de transducteur piézo-électriques composites individuels qui sont assemblés ensemble pour former un dispositif comprenant au moins autant de surfaces émettrices qu'il existe de transducteurs individuels.
  7. L'utilisation selon la revendication 5 ou 6, dans laquelle les transducteurs piézo-électriques composites mentionnés ci-dessus sont réalisés pour émettre des ondes ultrasoniques qui sont localisées sur un point focal ou point "cible".
  8. L'utilisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans laquelle des moyens de focalisation naturels et/ou électroniques sont prévus pour focaliser les ondes acoustiques émises par le ou les élément(s) transducteur(s) mentionné(s) ci-dessus, et en particulier au moyen d'un mode de réalisation sous la forme d'une coupole sphérique naturellement focalisante.
  9. L'utilisation selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, ou l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 8, dans laquelle il est prévu un dispositif multitransducteurs réalisé sous la forme d'une coupole épousant sensiblement la forme du corps d'un patient, dispositif auquel on fait émettre une onde sensiblement sphérique par un dispositif de synthèse de phase introduisant des retards de phase entre les transducteurs, de manière à permettre de synthétiser une onde sensiblement sphérique.
  10. L'utilisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans laquelle le transducteur piézo-électrique composite précité est obtenu à partir d'une céramique piézo-électrique à base de zirconate et de titanate, en particulier de plomb, de zirconate et de titanate, dite PZT, incluse dans une matrice en un polymère compatible choisi parmi le groupe comprenant une résine époxyde, un silicone, et un polyuréthanne.
  11. L'utilisation selon la revendication 10, dans laquelle le pourcentage en volume de la céramique PZT par rapport au volume total est de 8 à 70 %, préférablement de 20 à 40 %.
  12. L'utilisation selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, ou l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 11, dans laquelle la surface émettrice du transducteur est subdivisée en une pluralité de surfaces émettrices annulaires qui peuvent être excitées séparément.
  13. Appareil de thérapie acoustique ou ultrasonique pour appliquer un traitement destructif à une zone corporelle, en particulier à des tissus d'un être vivant, ledit traitement destructif comprenant l'hyperthermie ou la thermothérapie, ou pour réaliser une altération thermique de tissus tels que des tissus tumoraux, ou des veines variqueuses par coagulation, par nécrose ou par volatilisation de ces tissus, l'appareil comprenant au moins un transducteur piézo-électrique et des moyens d'alimentation électrique comprenant des générateurs d'impulsion, pour obliger ledit transducteur à fournir une dose suffisante d'énergie acoustique pour réaliser ledit traitement destructif dans ladite zone corporelle, ledit transducteur piézo-électrique était constitué au moins en partie d'un transducteur piézo-électrique composite.
  14. L'appareil selon la revendication 13, dans lequel les moyens d'alimentation précités sont capables de faire émettre audit transducteur un niveau d'énergie élevé d'au moins 0, 01 J par impulsion, et de préférence de l'ordre de plusieurs dizaines de Joules par impulsion, pendant une période de temps suffisante pour réaliser ladite thérapie destructive, en particulier sur des tissus tels que des tumeurs bénignes ou malignes, ou des veines variqueuses.
  15. L'appareil selon la revendication 13, dans lequel ledit appareil est un appareil pour appliquer une thérapie extra corporelle dans une zone corporelle.
  16. L'appareil selon la revendication 13 ou 14, dans lequel le transducteur piézo-électrique composite précité est monté sur ou fait partie intégrante d'une sonde endocavitaire capable d'être introduite dans une cavité du corps d'un être vivant.
  17. L'appareil selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le transducteur piézo-électrique composite précité est réalisé sous la forme d'un dispositif présentant des transducteurs multiples.
  18. L'appareil selon la revendication 17, dans lequel le transducteur piézo-électrique composite présente une ouverture variable, en particulier du fait qu'il est conformé comme un dispositif multitransducteur présentant une surface émettrice subdivisée en plusieurs surfaces émettrices annulaires.
  19. L'appareil selon la revendication 17 ou 18, dans lequel le dispositif transducteur multiple est destiné à être utilisé à la fois en thérapie et en imagerie, et dans lequel un nombre déterminé de transducteurs coopèrent avec des moyens électroniques auxiliaires pour former des images échographiques tandis que les autres transducteurs réalisent indépendamment la fonction thérapeutique.
  20. L'appareil selon la revendication 19, dans lequel un dispositif interrupteur permet aux transducteurs de fonctionner séquentiellement pour former des images par échographie et pour réaliser la thérapie dans ladite zone corporelle.
  21. L'appareil selon la revendication 19 ou 20, dans lequel les transducteurs qui réalisent la fonction imagerie sont disposés sur une ou plusieurs lignes émettrices, de manière à former un ou plusieurs plans d'image qui sont de préférence orthogonaux et qui comportent le point focal.
  22. L'appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 21, comprenant une unité de contrôle contrôlant les transducteurs précités, individuellement ou en groupes.
  23. L'appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 13 à 22, dans lequel le transducteur piézo-électrique composite est obtenu à partir d'une céramique piézo-électrique à base de zirconate et de titanate, en particulier de plomb, de zirconate et de titanate, dite PZT, incluse dans une matrice en un polymère compatible choisi parmi le groupe comprenant une résine époxyde, un silicone ou un polyuréthanne.
  24. L'appareil selon la revendication 23, dans lequel le pourcentage en volume de la céramique PZT par rapport au volume total est de 8 à 70 %, préférablement de 20 à 40 %.
EP92914481A 1991-07-19 1992-07-08 Utilisation d'un transducteur piezoelectrique dans la fabrication d'un appareil therapeutique ultrasonique Expired - Lifetime EP0595849B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9109197 1991-07-19
FR9109197A FR2679125B1 (fr) 1991-07-19 1991-07-19 Utilisation d'au moins un transducteur piezo-electrique composite pour la fabrication d'un appareil de therapie ultrasonique pour la therapie notamment de concretions, de tissus ou des os d'un etre vivant..
PCT/EP1992/001534 WO1993001752A1 (fr) 1991-07-19 1992-07-08 Utilisation d'un transducteur piezoelectrique dans la fabrication d'un appareil therapeutique ultrasonique

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EP0595849A1 EP0595849A1 (fr) 1994-05-11
EP0595849B1 true EP0595849B1 (fr) 1998-11-25

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EP (1) EP0595849B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69227688T2 (fr)
FR (1) FR2679125B1 (fr)
IL (1) IL102516A (fr)
WO (1) WO1993001752A1 (fr)

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JP2006521902A (ja) 2003-03-31 2006-09-28 ライポソニックス， インコーポレイテッド 渦型トランスデューサー
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US8444562B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-05-21 Guided Therapy Systems, Llc System and method for treating muscle, tendon, ligament and cartilage tissue
US8535228B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2013-09-17 Guided Therapy Systems, Llc Method and system for noninvasive face lifts and deep tissue tightening
US10864385B2 (en) 2004-09-24 2020-12-15 Guided Therapy Systems, Llc Rejuvenating skin by heating tissue for cosmetic treatment of the face and body
US11235179B2 (en) 2004-10-06 2022-02-01 Guided Therapy Systems, Llc Energy based skin gland treatment
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FI3981466T3 (fi) 2016-08-16 2023-10-03 Ulthera Inc Järjestelmiä ja menetelmiä ihon kosmeettista ultraäänihoitoa varten
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DE69227688D1 (de) 1999-01-07
IL102516A0 (en) 1993-01-14
FR2679125B1 (fr) 1993-11-26
EP0595849A1 (fr) 1994-05-11
FR2679125A1 (fr) 1993-01-22
WO1993001752A1 (fr) 1993-02-04
IL102516A (en) 1996-01-31
DE69227688T2 (de) 1999-07-01

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